Former Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo left the State House two years ago, yet remains one of the state’s top-funded politicians, thanks to a war chest a half-million dollars strong.
The Winthrop Democrat who ruled the House for 11 of his 30 years of service traded in his gavel in December 2020. But by the looks of his still-active campaign finance account, he could be ready to launch a reelection bid.
With $545,000 in cash on hand as of Friday, DeLeo has more in his campaign coffers than all but four of the 200 lawmakers currently serving in the state Legislature, according to state Office of Campaign Finance data.
State lawmakers with the most cash on hand:
1. House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz: $913,000
2. Sen.Mark Montigny: $805,000
3. Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues: $587,000
4. Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano: $547,000
Senate President Karen Spilka trails in a distant ninth place when it comes to campaign cash, with a little over $310,000.
A list ranking the top 20 lawmakers with the most cash available includes three other former lawmakers with six-figure campaign finance accounts: former Reps. Brian S. Dempsey, Paul Haley and Thomas Petrolati.
Candidates aren’t required to close campaign accounts when they leave office and pundits say keeping them active can set politicians up for a successful future bid or allow them to keep a grip — albeit a feeble one — on lawmaking from afar.
Democratic strategist Doug Rubin said the “most obvious reason” candidates would maintain their campaign accounts after leaving office is because they’re looking to run again. Though Rubin said it’s “unlikely” the 72-year-old DeLeo, now a University Fellow for Public Life at Northeastern University and whom we unsuccessfully tried to reach, is stockpiling cash for another State House bid. Rather, Rubin said, the accounts can be a way to wield some semblance of influence from afar.
“These accounts can be used as a way to keep them in the game, so to speak,” Rubin said of former politicians. “This is a way to stay relevant and stay engaged.”
Since leaving office, DeLeo’s campaign has shed nearly $130,000. A review of the accounting shows most of the money has been spent on donations. He’s at times given amounts of $10,000 to $15,000 to pro-environment and LGBTQ political interest groups. Smaller donations — in the $100 to $200 range — are frequently doled out to prominent state Democrats including Michlewitz, President Pro-Tempore Kate Hogan and others in powerful leadership positions.
There’s a new majority leader in the House
Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano tapped longtime Brighton Rep. Mike Moran to serve as the new majority leader, filling the position that has sat empty for over a year since Rep. Claire Cronin resigned to become U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Alice Peisch of Wellesley and Frank Moran of Lawrence also earned big promotions.
Cronin was the first-ever woman to serve as the No. 2 Democrat. Mariano at the time vowed to diversify the House’s largely white leadership ranks. Thursday’s appointments for the roles that come with hefty stipends included three women and one Latino lawmaker.
State House News Service | Worcester Telegram & Gazette
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